Universal Orlando Resort has over 30 exciting rides throughout their two spectacular theme parks (and many more set to arrive with the grand opening of their newest theme park, Epic Universe, in May 2025.)  

With so many enticing attractions to try, it can be tough to prioritize which ones should make it onto your itinerary. 

Luckily, Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando is a Universal Partner hotel, meaning we know a lot about Universal Orlando. That’s why we’re here to help you figure out which rides are the best rides at Universal Orlando so you can make the most of your next day at the theme parks. 

The word “best” is in the eye of the beholder. What may be considered the greatest ride by a grown-up adrenaline junkie may not be the right fit for a family with young children. 

That’s why we’ve broken down the best rides at Universal Orlando into three categories: For Thrill-Seekers, For Kids, and For Traditionalists (the ones who love the nostalgia of returning to their favorite theme parks).  

Here’s what we think are the best rides at Universal Orlando.  

For Thrill-Seekers 

Universal Studios Florida 

Hollywood Rip Ride RockIt

Hollywood Rip Ride RockIt combines classic roller coaster thrills with some of the hottest chart-topping music.  

When you strap into your seat, you’ll get to choose a music genre as a soundtrack to your ride. There’s even a secret song list you can tap into for an even more personalized experience.  

The ride begins with a 90 degree climb up to a 167-foot drop, followed by twists, turns, and speeds of up to 65 mph.  

You can’t miss the sight of this epic red coaster from the streets of Universal Studios Florida. You’ll want to be sure to add it to your list of must-do thrill rides. 

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts 

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is an indoor roller coaster that blends twists, turns, and a relatively mild drop with immersive sensory effects and 3D scenes with swift storytelling. 

While the ride itself isn’t the most adrenaline-inducing, it’s still exciting, beautifully developed, and a great intro to thrill rides for younger Harry Potter and coaster fans.  

The line for the ride can get long, but the queue and preshow are so fantastic that it definitely helps your wait time fly by.   

Revenge of the Mummy  

With over two decades of delighting guests under its belt, Revenge of the Mummy could easily be considered a classic Universal ride, but for the sake of the categorization of this list, the thrills have come out on top.  

The story of the ride finds you on the film set of the movie, “Revenge of the Mummy.” The cast and crew are concerned about a curse, and it turns out the curse is real. Imhotep, an evil mummy, is out for your soul – and you have to find a way to escape his pursuit.  

This indoor coaster packs an intense punch with sudden drops and turns, twisting tracks, and speeds up to 40 mph. Effects like strobe lights, fog, and fire bring the experience to an entirely new sensory level. 

Islands of Adventure 

Jurassic World VelociCoaster 

Jurassic World VelociCoaster is the fastest roller coaster at Universal Orlando (yes, in either park).  

This ferocious coaster takes you through a raptor paddock, where you’ll see screeching raptors closing in around you as you race to Jurassic World. 

It has two incredible launches, the first of which accelerates to 50 mph in three seconds and the second reaches top speeds of 70 mph in 2.4 seconds.  

VelociCoaster reaches a peak height of 155 feet, giving you an incredible view of the surrounding park as you plummet into an epic drop.  

There are also four inversions on the coaster, meaning you’ll find yourself upside down on four separate occasions throughout the ride.  

VelociCoaster is widely believed to be Universal Orlando’s smoothest and most thrilling coaster and is definitely worth the wait for adrenaline junkies and coaster enthusiasts.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster 

The Incredible Hulk Coaster is a mean, green, lightning-fast machine that has you hurtling, twisting, and barreling through the air.  

After exploring General Ross’s laboratory in the queue, you’ll take your seat and immediately be launched to speeds of 40 mph in the span of two seconds.  

The ride includes seven inversions that will have you fully flipped upside down and experiencing intense zero gravity twists and turns.  

With all of that adrenaline pumping through your body, you’ll get a taste of what The Hulk experiences during his legendary transformations.  

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey 

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the ride nestled inside the iconic Hogwarts castle in the village of Hogsmeade.  

Harry, Ron, and Hermione have offered to take you to a Quidditch game. You'll board magical benches in the Room of Requirement and take off for the Quidditch pitch.  

Soon, however, you’ll find yourself whizzing through the Forbidden Forest, warding off hordes of giant spiders, evil dementors, and fire-breathing dragons.  

While it isn’t a traditional coaster and there aren’t drops and high speeds, the ride is intense. It switches back and forth between video scenes and real 3D sets.  

It also has a reputation for triggering motion sickness, so if you’re prone to it, you may want to approach this ride with a little extra precaution.  

Additionally, the queue for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is every Harry Potter lover’s dream. It winds you through the castle grounds including the greenhouses, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, Dumbledore’s office, and more. 

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure 

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is an epic story coaster with incredible theming, plenty of Harry Potter easter eggs, and exciting launches (both forward and backward).  

You’ll sit either on a motorbike seat or in the sidecar as you hurtle through the Forbidden Forest at speeds of up to 50 mph. You’ll see a variety of magical creatures, big and small, as you traverse nearly a mile of coaster track.  

The ride has a few exciting surprises up its sleeve, the least of which are unicorns, Blast-Ended Skrewts, and devil’s snare.  

For Kids

Universal Studios Florida

Hogwarts Express

The Hogwarts Express ride is an experience that beautifully encapsulates the magic and wonder of the world of Harry Potter.  

The catch is that you’ll need a 2-Park ticket to ride, as this attraction travels back and forth between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.  

Once you’ve boarded the iconic red train, you’ll settle into a comfortable cabin for your four-minute ride. While you’re seated, you’ll take in a variety of sights from your window, including the streets of London and Hogwarts grounds. 

You’ll even see some familiar friends wandering through the corridor outside your cabin.  

Brief encounters with Dementors, lightning and thunder, and the Forbidden Forest can make the ride a little scary for very young riders, but it’s relatively mild.  

The best part? Depending on from which park you’re departing, the ride is entirely different, meaning you’ll get two unique Hogwarts Express ride opportunities.   

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem 

Cute, yellow, banana-loving minions have become cultural icons since the release of “Despicable Me” in 2010. Now they have their very own ride at Universal Studios Florida.  

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem is a motion simulation-based experience that transforms riders into minions and takes you on a playful and exciting adventure through a minion training facility. 

While you’re seated in front of an enormous screen, you’ll experience your seat shaking, moving, and tilting for an immersive experience. Plus, there are fun special effects to make the ride even more realistic, including mist, light wind, and even a few fragrances.  

Don’t forget to join the minion dance party at the end of the ride! 

Islands of Adventure 

Flight of the Hippogriff 

If you have a little one who is dipping their toes into the world of thrill rides, The Flight of the Hippogriff is a great place to start.  

Hagrid is teaching young wizards how to fly on a Hippogriff by using replicas of the winged beast. This tame ride only reaches speeds of 29 miles per hour and lasts about 60 seconds.  

At one point, the track reaches a height of 43 feet. While it's not the scariest height in the park, it does offer some breathtaking views of the nearby Hogwarts Castle, Hogsmeade, and beyond. 

The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride 

In Seuss Landing, you’ll find the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride, a gentle, colorful experience that embodies the whimsy of classic Dr. Seuss stories.  

You’ll glide above the park below (but not too high or too fast) with fabulous views of the Incredible Hulk coaster, Seuss Landing, and other nearby attractions. 

Pteranodon Flyers 

With so many exciting and intense rides for grown-ups in Jurassic World, Pteranodon Flyers is a dinosaur ride just for kids.  

Take flight beneath the wings of a Pteranodon, soaring through the treetops for a bird’s eye view – or should we say dinosaur’s eye view? - of the prehistoric area of the theme park.  

While you’re suspended in the air, you’ll be in a comfy seat gently swinging and soaring through the air. There are no sudden or scary movements, making it the perfect ride experience for younger children and an accompanying grown-up.  

For the Traditionalists  

Universal Studios Florida 

E.T. Adventure 

E.T. Adventure is the oldest ride at Universal Orlando, having launched shortly after Universal Studios' grand opening in 1990.  

Today, the ride still brings back nostalgic memories for many guests. From the signature forest scent that drifts through the queue to the bicycle-inspired seats that you’ll ride into the sky, E.T. Adventure is the ultimate Universal Orlando throwback.  

As a rider, you’re on a mission to bring E.T. back to his home planet to save his friends. You’ll race through the forest past a cast of characters out to stop your mission until your bike takes flight for an epic sendoff. 

Men In Black Alien Attack 

Men In Black Alien Attack has been a Universal Studios Florida favorite for almost 25 years. 

On this motion-based experience, you’ll have the opportunity to blast over 120 aliens, protecting the galaxy from a dangerous invasion.  

Every alien you manage to target racks up points, giving you a grand total that you can try to beat every time you ride.  

The ride spins and is almost entirely in the dark, but doesn’t drop, flip, or travel at high speeds. It’s great for fans of the Men in Black movies, as well as guests who love an immersive experience.  

Islands of Adventure  

Jurassic Park River Adventure 

Jurassic Park River Adventure has been an Islands of Adventure mainstay since it opened in 1999.  

Glide through the river of Jurassic Park on a free-floating boat and observe a variety of fascinating dinosaurs in a peaceful setting – until your boat gets bumped off course and you find yourself in a raptor containment area.  

Just when you think you’re safe, a T-Rex bursts out of the shadows and your boat is propelled down an 85-foot watery drop to freedom.  

And yes, you will get wet on this ride.  

Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls 

Another one of Island of Adventure’s original rides is Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw falls, named for the classic dim-witted Canadian Mountie from the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons.  

This log flume ride in Toon Town is the perfect way to cool off on a long, Florida day at the theme park, because you will get very, very wet.  

Luckily, the People Dryer is nearby, and you can purchase time to air out after your ride.

Chill after Thrills when you Stay at Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando  

After a long day at Universal Orlando, you need a comfortable place to rest your head – and your feet.  

At Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando, our spacious rooms, resort-style amenities, and onsite dining make us the perfect place to recharge for whatever adventures tomorrow may bring. 

We also offer complimentary scheduled shuttles to and from Universal Orlando, giving you one more reason to spend your day trying as many rides as you possibly can.